BLOOD AND ICE

This shivery thriller swiftly engages the listener with its parallel tales of the British army in the Crimean War in 1854 and present-day researchers in Antarctica. The two stories become woven together as historical intrigue merges with cryogenics, marine biology, and blood lust. Phil Gigante demonstrates broad vocal versatility, lending each of the two parts of the story distinct and identifiable characters. He achieves a clear differentiation between past and present events, even though the spoken voice is the same. As the suspense and horror mount amid the bleak backdrop of the challenging polar landscape, Gigante subtly shifts to a tense urgency. Brrr . . . ! This is best for summertime listening on a toasty beach. A.W. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2009]